11/25 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 119, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Johnson at 21 and Young at 18 a game. Without Nance Jr. (3 straight), Wallace (3 straight), Gueye (9 straight). 2 days' rest. Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Irving at 22 and Marshall at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Dončić (2 straight), Edwards (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Dallas has been plus-9 a night and Atlanta plus-3 and the defense, Dallas allowing 109 a night to Atlanta's 119. Call it Dallas 117, Atlanta 114, Atlanta keeping it close.

11/27 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 114, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 19 free throws a game; Mitchell at 27 and Garland at 20 a game. Without LeVert (3 straight), Wade (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Johnson at 23 and Young at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Nance Jr. (4 straight), Wallace (4 straight), Gueye (10 straight). One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 42 percent from three to Atlanta's 32 and the defense, Cleveland allowing 114 a night to Atlanta's 121. Call it Cleveland 125, Atlanta 111, Cleveland by 14.

11/29 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Johnson at 22 and Hunter at 17 a game. Without Krejčí (2 straight), Nance Jr. (5 straight), Mathews (2 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Mitchell at 25 and Jerome at 19 a game. Without LeVert (4 straight), Wade (4 straight). One day's rest. So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 115 a night to Atlanta's 123. Call it Cleveland 122, Atlanta 116.

11/30 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 108, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Ball at 40 and Miller at 26 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Bridges (5 straight), Gra. Williams (3 straight), Mann (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Johnson at 22 and Young at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Nance Jr. (6 straight), Wallace (6 straight), Gueye (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the defense, Charlotte allowing 108 a night to Atlanta's 122 and the glass, where Atlanta has been plus-4 a night and Charlotte minus-2. Call it Charlotte 115, Atlanta 112, Atlanta keeping it close.